Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is publishing its proposed changes to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2026, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed changes to the LOF for 2026 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. Under the MMPA, NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories based on the level of mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those regarding registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 260430-0120; RTID 0648-XE921] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comment. SUMMARY: NMFS is publishing its proposed changes to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2026, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed changes to the LOF for 2026 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. Under the MMPA, NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories based on the level of mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those regarding registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements. DATES: Comments must be received by June 4, 2026. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2025-0044, by either of the following methods: Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2025-0044 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle …
Citation: 91 FR 24176
